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Detention officer job description

Updated March 14, 2024
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Example detention officer requirements on a job description

Detention officer requirements can be divided into technical requirements and required soft skills. The lists below show the most common requirements included in detention officer job postings.
Sample detention officer requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Successful completion of relevant training.
  • Ability to pass specialized physical agility test.
  • Clear criminal background check.
Sample required detention officer soft skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to remain calm in stress situations.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • Familiarity with safety procedures and protocol.
  • Ability to work in a team environment.

Detention officer job description example 1

Polk County detention officer job description

Polk County Local Government, county-seat Columbus, North Carolina is presently accepting applications for Detention Officers to work in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.

Polk County Local Government offers a $1,000.00 sign-on bonus for all full-time and part-time regular new hires.
Ready to Apply?
CHECK OUT THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION – JOB OPENINGS www.polknc.org
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT, ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A POLK COUNTY LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOUND OUR OUR NEOGOV JOB POSTINGS PAGE.
Resumes welcome in addition to application.
General Statement of Duties
Under general supervision, Detention officers perform intermediate protective service work for ensuring the safety, detention, and security of inmates in the County Detention Facility. Detention officer’s work with and around inmates. There are elements of personal danger, situational awareness, professional discipline and teamwork. Detention officers are required to perform all related work and collateral duties as assigned. Reports to the Detention Facility Lieutenant and/or other senior officers.
Minimum Requirements and Experience
High School Graduate or High School Equivalency certificate.
Must be a minimum of 21 years in age.
Successful pre-employment drug screen.
Successful criminal background check.
Successful pre-employment physical.
Physical Demands
Very heavy work requiring the exertion of up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, and feeling. Vocal communications are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word, conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, determining accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. Workers are subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise, vibration, and atmospheric conditions. Workers may be required to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus. Workers may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear or use specialized personal protective equipment.
Special Requirements
Certificated as a Jailer by the State of North Carolina in accordance with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission within one (1) year of employment. Must meet and maintain minimum qualifications for the position established by the Sheriff’s Office (as defined in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Standardized Training Requirements) and the State of North Carolina. Certified in CPR, Advanced First Aid, and Fire Extinguishers.
Levels of Certification:
Detention Officer I - Non-certified officer. (Trainee) Entry level with no experience.
Detention Officer II - Possession of a Jailer Certificate.
Detention Officer III - Possession of a Jailer Certificate. Three years of experience and Possession of four specialty classes.
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Detention officer job description example 2

Coweta County School System detention officer job description

Dept/Div: Sheriff’s Office/N/A --- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Definition of Work
Performs protective service work processing inmates, maintaining correctional facility security on a continual basis, escorting inmates to court, medical appointments, and related facilities, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Detention, Corporal.

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions
Ensures the safety and security of inmates within the detention facility; controls inmates by performing routine facility checks, conducting head counts, and performing searches for contraband or unauthorized materials.
Receives and processes inmates into custody of the detention facility; searches prisoners; takes charge of personal property.
Escorts and transports inmates to court, medical, and other required appointments.
Oversees the handling and distribution of medications and meals; oversees approved inmate visitations.
Distributes inmate mail; issues personal hygiene items to inmates according to prescribed procedures.
Prepares reports and maintains files and records; enters accurate information into the computer system and updates records and files as necessary.
Encourages and promotes a culture of excellent customer service.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Some knowledge of the security, rules, regulations, and procedures of the institution; some knowledge of the practices of modern penology as related to the supervision and care of persons under institutionalized restraint; ability to enforce institutional rules firmly and fairly; ability to detect potential behavior problems of inmates; ability to detect the early symptoms of common health problems; ability to carry out oral and written directions accurately; ability to supervise the activities of large groups of inmates; ability to prepare records and reports; ability to utilize defensive tactics and use reasonable force to gain control of violent inmates; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, inmates, attorneys, and the general public.

Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing and repetitive motions and occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires working in high, precarious places and occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements
Availability for emergency call-in.
Obtain Georgia Basic Jail Officer certification within six months.
Favorable background history as determined by review of local, State, and Federal records.
Valid driver's license in the State of Georgia with a favorable driving history (MVR).

Last Revised: 12/22/2016

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Detention officer job description example 3

Buncombe County Government detention officer job description

Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where citizens succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.
Job
Title: Detention
Officer

An employee in this position is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety and security of detainees in the custody of the Buncombe County Detention Facility.Essential Functions of the position:
Admits detainees to the County Detention Facility; searches and processes detainees; and advises detainees of all facility rules and regulations. Conducts supervision rounds and inspects cells and common areas to ensure cleanliness and sanitation; supervises detainees engaged in daily cleaning of the housing unit and other activities..Coordinates weekly visits for detainees; documents detainee movement as well as conducting searches of detainees and property for contraband; checks outgoing mail for contraband. Supervises detainees during the administration of medicines and sick call by medical staff; notifies medical staff of emergencies and oversees the general welfare of detainees. Conducts supervision rounds to ensure the safety and security of the facility. Maintains various forms and completes computer entries to update and document the detainees file while in custody.Performs other related duties as assigned within the detention facility.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
High School diploma or equivalent. Must be 21 years of age.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: It is required by the North Carolina Sheriff's Training and Standards Commission that you be certified as a detention officer within a year. This training is approximately 5 weeks with pay. Possession of a valid driver's license.

Typical Work Schedule:
Adheres to the assigned work schedule as outlined in the Sheriff's Office and County attendance policies and procedures.The Detention Facility is a 24/7 operation and as such persons must be able to work various shift assignments, including night shift.Typical shift will be 12 hours with a compensated lunch break.Regular, predictable attendance is essential

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of practices and procedures involved in detainee management. Knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment and confinement of inmates. Ability to maintain discipline and order of detainees. Ability to maintain accurate records. Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of detainees, attorneys, ministers and other persons concerned with the welfare of individual inmates. Ability to take prompt and effective action during detention facility emergencies.

Department:Sheriff

Location: Asheville, NC

Job Posting End Date:

Salary
Range: $48,353.76 - $48,353.76.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition the Agency expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
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Updated March 14, 2024

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.